Your Minneapolis Real Estate Agent

What are you looking for in your Minnesota REALTOR? Does all of that “alphabet soup” listed behind an agent’s name mean anything to you? Now, I admit, I have a few of those esoteric designations behind my name too. Of course, the REALTORS all know what those designations mean. Some of those courses took many hours of study, provided valuable knowledge about the real estate market and technology, and some of those just required paying the tuition, signing attendance sheets, and sleeping through lectures that had little to do with the reality of buying and selling homes. Or, they might have simply required clicking your way back through an online course until you finally get enough of the test questions correct. But, if Jay Leno walked up to the average guy on the street, held a microphone up to him and asked him what a “CRS” was, do you think he would know? Would your next door neighbor recognize a “GRI” if it knocked on her door? Call up your brother-in-law right now and ask him if he knows what an “ABR” is. He might think it is some new top-secret weapons system.

Something is lost in all of the REALTOR self-inflated ideas of what a real estate agent really is. But what do Minneapolis real estate agents really do? It’s simple; real estate agents help people BUY HOUSES and SELL HOUSES! Customers need an experienced Minnesota REALTOR who can help them do both, and do it well, keeping their best interests in mind by providing the best information about available homes, the best market analysis of their curent homes, expert representation, and the best service. Some agents eschew the term “sales associate,” but I embrace it. Even after 15 years of experience with buying and selling Minneapolis real estate, and many hours of continuing education, I still think it is the most important designation there is. Consumers need an agent who is enthusiastic, knowledgeable about the product, the market, financing, local issues, as well as the various information portals beside the Minneapolis MLS and knows what is best for the customer or client. Regardless of hype, client satisfaction is the key to long-term success. A referral from a past client is a bigger feather in my hat than any three letter acronym that I can tack behind my name on my business card.

As an attorney, I was certain that “For Sale by Owner” for my home at 5213 44th Ave South, Minneapolis would be the right approach for me. Although I had positive responses to my open houses, I do not think the people who came through were serious buyers. They just wanted to look. As I recall, you put my house on the market on a Wednesday night. On Sunday, a couple made a very good offer. If Jeff and I decide to sell the house we are living in now, we will contact you because of my favorable experience with you on the sale of my home.

-Christine L Peterson-Stromgren
Minneapolis, MN .

Almost every darn Minneapolis real estate site that you visit has an “About Me” page. Well, you won’t find a fuzzy realtor bio page here. I do not climb Mount Everest in my spare time, and I cannot whisper to horses. I have seven kids: Five of them are still at home. My hobbies include making peanut butter sandwiches and changing diapers. The rest of my time is invested in my career as a Minneapolis real estate agent. I like baseball and I hate golf. There! I said it! I probably should not have said it, but there it is. I have several useless college degrees, and taught junior-high science classes. I thought that was a wonderful job until the students showed up.

College was fine, but I wish I went straight from high school to real estate. In fact, I can’t remember a single thing I learned in college. I have learned more in fifteen years of Minneapolis real estate than anywhere else. I love it. I enjoy meeting people. I like helping people with their real estate needs. I have learned more things from my real estate practice than anywhere else.

One thing you will learn about me is that I have no trouble “keeping it real.” Whether you are a homebuyer or a homeseller, you need a Minnesota REALTOR who will give you a straight answers to your questions. If you are a homeseller, I promise to give you straightforward answers about pricing, staging the home, market conditions, Minneapolis MLS data, and the best ways to market your property. If you are underpricing or overpricing your home, I will tell you. If something appears untoward about an offer or financing issues, I will certainly let you know. If your house is dirty or unmarketable, I will tell you. If you are a homebuyer and have fallen in love with a home that is a disaster waiting to happen, I will tell you. If you are a seller, and something appears untoward about an offer or financing issues, you will be the first to know. I avoid dual agency (diminished representation) so you know who I am really working for… YOU!

Kermit was very diligent and thorough as he guided us through the various steps we had to take to find a buyer and close the sale….. We had tired to sell our home “For Sale by Owner”. If it wasn’t for Kermit, we would not have sold our house as quickly as we did. We would gladly recommend Kermit to someone looking for a broker.

-Stephen A Mars,
Eden Prairie, MN

If you are buying a house, I will not let you sign a purchase agreement until you are confident that we have found a home that best suits your needs at the best value to you. By the time you make a decision, you will be able to make an informed decision based on information about financing, the local real estate market, and the house itself. You will know your statutory rights as a Minnesota consumer, and will be provided with essential inspection reports, disclosures and background information. If you are buying a townhome, you will have vital information about the association. If you are buying a Minnesota lake home or other lakeshore real estate, you will get critical information about the lake, including water quality, fishing reports, and any restrictions on use. If you are a first time home buyer, you will have a full understanding of the entire purchase process. If you are looking for a luxury home, I will find a property that meets your most demanding requirements. My goal as your Minneapolis real estate agent is to help you purchase the best possible house for the best possible price at terms that are most favorable to you. Nobody can predict future value, but I will help you focus on factors that may affect future marketability of the home. My goal is to ensure that you are so happy with your purchase, that you will call me back five years from now when you decide to sell the property.

“We just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for helping us buy our home in Shakopee. We love it and are enjoying fixing it up the way we we want…. We appreciated all you did”

-Mike and Sheri Timmerman
Shakopee, MN

It’s hard to argue with savings and results! Are you thinking of selling your home? Here are five reasons why you should let us sell your home:

1. Experience. I have had over 18 years of Minnesota home sales experience. IBR Realty has been around even longer. Independent Brokers Realty is the largest, oldest, full service discount real estate agency in Minnesota. We have about 350 agents working for us, and we have the best, most experienced agents from other companies signing up with our company every week! Benefit from our large network team of veteran agents!

2. Savings. Because I am not a part of a national franchise, I do not have to split office commissions with out-of-state managers, which is simply a waste of your hard earned equity. Ask about my 2% 4% 5% full MLS service program.

4. Straight answers. You will get an honest, expert opinion on the value of the home, marketability, and the pros and cons of all offers presented to you.

5. Results. Call me at 612-296-0007 to see my portfolio of homes that I have sold.

“Thank you very much for helping us sell our mother’s home. It was a very difficult time for us. We appreciate your efforts and kindness.”

-Karen Mullen
Chaska, MN

Kermit demonstrated his market knowledge and desire to find us a Prior Lake home that would meet our financial and comfort level……I feel that Kermit did a great job and will search him out at my next home upgrade.

-Robert Hentig
Prior Lake, MN

My Resume

Experience:

Native Minnesotan with 18 years of experience as a Minneapolis real estate agent.

Three years of experience with a national realty franchise

Fifteen more years with Independent Brokers Realty, the largest, oldest, independent, full MLS service Minnesota discount real estate agency.Buyer or seller representation.

Credentials:

Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI)

e-Pro certification

IBR Top Producer Award

Certified top 1% listings sold

Minnesota real estate broker license #20057354

Mission:

To provide the best information so you can make the best decisions.

To provide excellent follow-up and communications

To build long-term relationships with repeat clients

To earn your recommendations to family and associates

Focus

For buyers: Finding the Twin Cities home that best suits your needs

For buyers: Finding the best value and best market data available

For sellers: Sell your home in the least amount of time while conserving equity

For sellers: Ensure smooth transaction to closing

My thanks go to you and everyone at IBR for the many showings and courteous handling throughout the selling process.

-Denise Hames
Minneapolis, MN

A belated ‘thank you very much’ for your amiable and thoughtful assistance in selling my mother’s house at 3925 17th Ave South, Minneapolis last March….. I was especially pleased by your friendly disposition, prompt return of phone calls, and your adaptability as we progressed throught the sales process.

-Jim Peterson
Medina, MN

Just a note of thanks for helping us sell our Bloomington MN house at 8535 3rd Ave South. We were statrting to panic after trying “For Sale by Owner.” ….The thing that impressed us the most was your honesty. This we learned as we got to know you better.

-Woody and Betty Bolander
Bloomington, MN

Last summer we decided to sell hour home in Bloomington, Minnesota. Hoping to save some money, we tried unsuccessfuly to sell the property ourselves. After serveral frustrating months of unproductive open houses, we decided to turn the property over to Kermit Johnson, of Independent Brokers Realty, to sell. Kermit knows his business and provided excellent service, keeping us informed as things progressed, and sold the home in about two weeks, saving us thousands of dollars in commissions. In addition, Kermit has a good sense of humor and was a pleasure to work with.

-William J. Rikkers
Orion Investment Corporation.

I want to tell you how much I appreciate your help in selling my mother’s Bloomington MN townhouse this past year during a difficult market. Whenever we faced minor problems, you gave great advice on making the deal go through. Because I live in another state, you even went beyond the call of duty when you met repairmen at the house when needed.

You did a wonderful job in handling the sale, and I appreciate your knowledge of the market and your integrity. In short, your experience and recommendations were invaluable. As an attorney who has practiced for 20 years, it was a pleasure to work with you and I wish you continued success.

Very Truly Yours,
-Kevin Danielson

Thank you for visiting my site. If you contact me, I promise to make your real estate needs my highest priority.